Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Repetitive exposure of theskinto UVA radiation elicits sagging more frequently than wrinkling, which is mainly attributed to its biochemical mechanism to up-regulate the expression of matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 andskinfibroblastelastase(SFE)/neutral endopeptidase (NEP), respectively.

OBJECTIVE:

In this study, we examined the effects of a potent antioxidant,astaxanthin(AX), on the induction of MMP-1 and SFE by UVA treatment of culturedhumandermalfibroblasts.

METHODS:

Those effects were assessed by real-time RT-PCR, Western blotting and enzymic activity assays.

RESULTS:

UVA radiation elicited a significant increase in the gene expression of MMP-1 as well as SFE/NEP (to a lesser extent) which was followed by distinct increases in their protein and enzymatic activity levels. The addition of AX at concentrations of 4-8 microM immediately after UVA exposure significantly attenuated the induction of MMP-1 and SFE/NEP expression elicited by UVA at the gene, protein and activity levels although both the UVA stimulation and the subsequent AX inhibition were greater for MMP-1 than for SFE/NEP. Analysis of theUVA-inducedrelease of cytokines revealed that UVA significantly stimulated only the secretion of IL-6 among the cytokines tested and that AX significantly diminished only the IL-6 secretion.

CONCLUSION:

These findings indicate that, based on different effective concentrations of AX, a major mode of action leading to the inhibition elicited by AX depends on inhibition of UVA effects of the reactive oxygen species-directed signaling cascade, but not on interruption of the IL-6-mediated signaling cascade. We hypothesize that AX would have a significant benefit on protecting againstUVA-inducedskinphoto-aging such as sagging and wrinkles.